VILLA are monitoring former Albion striker Jason Roberts, according to his agent.

Roberts is certain to leave Wigan this summer and a trio of Premiership clubs, including Blues, are said to have joined Turkish side Besiktas in the race for the 27-year-old's services.

With unsettled duo Milan Baros and Juan Pablo Angel both likely to leave Villa Park this summer and with talks over Luke Moore's future set to take place after the World Cup, David O'Leary is covering all eventualities in keeping an eye on Roberts, who helped the Latics beat Villa twice last season.

Besiktas have had three bids rejected, and McKay claims Villa, Blackburn and Charlton are interested as well as Blues.

"There have been three different offers from Besiktas, but they have been rejected by Wigan," McKay said. "Jason is away on holiday at the minute, but he is keen to speak to Besiktas to see what is on offer.

"He is looking to get the okay from Wigan to allow him to talk to them. I am aware of the interest from Birmingham but as far as we know there has been no offer.

"There has been a lot of talk but nothing has been done. I believe Aston Villa, Charlton and Blackburn are also keeping tabs on him."

With Roberts set to leave the JJB Stadium, Albion's Nathan Ellington and Blues' Emile Heskey have been strongly rumoured to be Paul Jewell's chief targets.

But neither Albion nor Blues are under any pressure to sell following relegation.

McKay added: "Obviously Wigan are looking to bring in a new striker and Jason feels he might have to go.

"He has been a good servant to Wigan and hopes they will let him go rather than move him on where they will get the most money. Jason wants his future sorted out as soon as possible."

After a brief stint with Wolves, it was Roberts' 38 League goals in 78 League appearances for Bristol Rovers that prompted Gary Megson to sign him for Albion for #2million in July 2000.

He played 89 League games at the Hawthorns, scoring 24 League goals, but a very public fall out with Megson led to his #2million move to Wigan in January 2004.

His 43 goals in 103 appearances for Wigan have understandably made him a crowd favourite. He scored eight league goals in the Premiership last year, and 14 goals in all competitions.

Roberts said: "We're not negotiating [anymore], if the club had offered me a decent contract and I turned it down then that would have been one thing, but I've been offered a contract that I think is impossible for me to agree to.

"Their valuation of me is virtually the same as what it was at the start of the season - this is not acceptable. I've not been offered a new one and it seems like I'll be moving on.

"It seems like the club wants to go in another direction which is fine - I just want to get on with my career."

Roberts is hoping his future can be sorted without him having to resort to handing in a transfer request.

He said: "It's not something I want to do. I've had a great time at Wigan and I already feel what has happened has soured what I achieved at this club and I don't want to sour it any more from my part.

"I respect the club and I respect that they want to do something different."